Description
Drawing on the partners’ experience in the fight against discrimination, the project will implement an awareness programme regarding the existing intolerance towards the Roma, making their culture and traditions better known and thus helping to overcome the ignorance that leads to misconceptions on the Roma. The training of strategic agents will create conditions for the dissemination of appropriate interventions against the discrimination of Roma communities. Explanation sessions will be held, where the Roma will receive information on their rights. The participation of young Roma volunteers in the project is also considered essential to empower their peers. Another aim is to contribute to the improvement of the technical language used in addressing issues concerning these communities. The use of information and communication technologies and social networks will expand the impact of the project’s actions from a local to the national scope.
Summary of project results
The National Roma Communities Integration Strategy identifies 4 serious problems this community faces: "Romaphobia" - existence in society of generalized feelings / behaviors of discrimination towards Roma people (80% of population displays Romaphobic behaviors); unfamiliarity with Roma culture (ignorance regarding the origin and history of the Roma people leading to the adoption of false and negative ideas); low-skilled intervention area (weak academic resources, poor data systematization, and lack of common language prevents harmonious, effective and integrated action); and unawareness of fundamental rights (Roma have little knowledge about their rights, and how to fully exercise them). The project involved 22 NGOs actively fighting against Roma discrimination, empowered 54 Roma citizens and raised awareness about their problems in 551 people. It consisted of one awareness-raising campaign dedicated to all the population; an information action focused on strategic education agents; empowerment actions turned to the Roma community and specific actions related with the exercise of fundamental rights. Both the Roma families (75%) and the education agents (77%) feel that the project brought improvements regarding the integration of Roma young people. The project has surpassed its initial targets. For the promoter NGO, the identified gains are linked with the partnership management and the organisation of big events and campaigns.
Summary of bilateral results